Millions of Top Gear fans are expected to tune in tonight to watch Jeremy Clarkson make his final bow on the hit show with co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond.

Viewers will see the trio behind the wheel of classic cars and beaten-up 4x4s in their final challenges before Top Gear returns with new host Chris Evans.

Richard Hammond in a flat cap at a race course with Jeremy Clarkson and James May
Richard Hammond in a flat cap at a race course with Clarkson and May (Ellis O’Brien/BBC)

The show’s former executive producer Andy Wilman, who also quit the show in the wake of Clarkson’s controversial departure, said filming their last scenes was “very sad”.

He told Radio Times magazine: “We’ve had a lot of fun in that studio, but we had a job to do and we got it done, professionally, and without tears or tantrums.”

Jeremy was suspended from the show after it emerged he had assaulted show producer Oisin Tymon in a row over food and the BBC later announced it would not be renewing his contract.

Chris Evans
Chris Evans is taking over Top Gear (David Giles/PA)

He is expected to team up with Andy and his two co-stars to launch a rival motoring show later this year.

Chris, who also hosts the Radio 2 breakfast show and is about to make a new series of TFI Friday, is looking for new co-hosts and has called on Top Gear fans to send in short audition clips for a job on the new show.